Black Friday offers on Thunderbolt docking stations on your laptop computer are practically right here, however that’s not stopping retailers from providing vacation gross sales early. Joyful Thanksgiving!
We’ve been on the hunt for the very best Thunderbolt dock offers for a number of weeks now, however we’re consolidating them on this web page as Black Friday approaches. I’ve reviewed docking station offers at main retailers, evaluating them to my in depth critiques of the very best Thunderbolt docks and my data of their pricing. Even higher, I clarify why every deal is price shopping for, with an emphasis on getting probably the most bang on your buck.
Need extra? I’ve included a FAQ with extra info: differentiate between the assorted requirements, the value I’d count on to pay, and extra.
Finest Black Friday funds Thunderbolt dock offers
- HP Thunderbolt Dock G2, Thunderbolt 3, 100W charging, now $70.00 (14% off at Amazon)
- Kensington USB-C and Thunderbolt Dock, Thunderbolt 3, 100W charging, $109.99 (21% off at Amazon)
- Targus USB-C Docking Station, DisplayLink, 65W charging, now $103.99 (58% off at Amazon)
- Belkin Thunderbolt 3 Dock Core, Thunderbolt 3, 60W charging (unpowered), now $69.99 (65% off at Walmart)
- Belkin Thunderbolt 3 Dock Professional, Thunderbolt 3, 85W charging, now $107.99 (40% off at Amazon)
- Belkin Thunderbolt 3 Dock Plus, Thunderbolt 3, 60W charging, now $99.95 (60% off at Amazon)
- Kensington SD2500T, Thunderbolt 3, 60W charging, now $66.99 (6% off at Amazon)
Finest Black Friday premium Thunderbolt dock offers
- Kensington SD5800T Thunderbolt 4/USB4 Dock, Thunderbolt 4, 100W charging, $186.97 (38% off at Amazon)
- Plugable Thunderbolt 4 Dock (TBT4-UDX1), Thunderbolt 4, 100W charging, $183.96 (32% off at Amazon)
- Ugreen Revodok Max 208, Thunderbolt 4, 85W charging, now $159.99 (36% off at Amazon)
- CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock, Thunderbolt 4, 98W charging, now $379.99 (16% off at Amazon)
- Microsoft Floor Thunderbolt 4 Dock, Thunderbolt 4, 96W charging, now $215.99 (28% off at Amazon)
- Lenovo Thunderbolt 3 Dock Gen 2, Thunderbolt 3, 135W charging, now $175.00 (45% off at Amazon)
If $186 isn’t out of your value vary, purchase the Kensington SD5800T. It’s the very best premium Thunderbolt dock accessible proper now, and it’s effectively underneath the $299 MSRP — that brings it all the way down to what I’d contemplate a mainstream value vary. Learn my SD5800T evaluation: it’s wonderful! Cheaper choices are listed beneath. Plugable’s TBT4-UDX1 can also be a best choice. Plugable’s dock features a single HDMI port, plus two upstream Thunderbolt 4 ports, however Plugable features a Thunderbolt (USB-C) to HDMI adapter proper within the field. Each Kensington and Plugable have stable reputations, particularly for assist.
I feel the HP Thunderbolt Dock G2 nonetheless represents wonderful worth for the cash, and it’s my favourite deal proper now within the funds class. I personally reviewed the HP G4 and it was terrific. Right here, the G2 swaps HDMI ports for DisplayPort ports, so for those who solely have HDMI connections in your shows, you’ll have to purchase some $15 DisplayPort-to-HDMI cables. In any other case, it’s a compact and efficient dock on your desk.
I additionally assume you’ll be proud of the Kensington USB-C and Thunderbolt Dock (which is a real Thunderbolt 3 dock, although the identify’s a bit complicated.) It has the identical caveat because the HP dock above: it sports activities only one HDMI port plus an upstream Thunderbolt port. If you wish to join it to a show, you’ll want a dongle just like the one instructed above. Kensington is a type of producers whose high quality has been constantly good in my expertise.
I additionally like Ugreen {hardware}, as my evaluation of the marginally dearer Max 213 dock signifies. The Ugreen Revodok Max 208, which is what’s on sale right here, additionally acquired a positive evaluation from our sister web site, TechAdvisor. It, too, is a hub, nonetheless; you’ll want adapter cables.
So what’s the distinction between the Belkin Thunderbolt 3 Dock Core, Professional, and Plus? Ports, primarily. I feel that the Core (one HDMI, one DisplayPort) will match most customers the very best, adopted by the Professional‘s single DisplayPort. (An upstream Thunderbolt port requires a show dongle.) The Plus contains two DisplayPort ports, however Belkin’s had some quality-control points right here on one of many ports — you would possibly get a lemon, you won’t.
The Kensington SD2500T is an fascinating system — each the “previous model” and the brand new model are on steep reductions. (Kensington sells it for $199.99, so the $66.99 is far more than 6% off.) It does run sizzling, based on experiences, which is why it’s effectively down my checklist for a purpose. I haven’t examined this system personally. The Kensington SD2480T is even cheaper, at $49.95. Once more, customers complain that it runs extremely popular. nonetheless.
The CalDigit TS4 works for each Macs and Home windows PCs. (Our pals at Macworld liked it per their review.) This CalDigit dock can also be a good selection for those who’re on the lookout for a extra full-featured dock, but it surely’s undoubtedly pricier. That’s additionally the explanation I’ve included the Floor Dock, which has a very good fame even when I haven’t reviewed it. Ditto for the Lenovo Dock Gen 2.
Should you’ve been following our lists of offers, a few of these are acquainted: They’re stable docks that hold happening sale. And among the reductions are considerably misleading. Final 12 months, the Belkin Thunderbolt 3 Dock Core (a superbly good journey dock, per my evaluation) was being offered for $100 on a “50 % low cost.” This 12 months, it’s being offered for $69.99 at Walmart (and at Goal for a similar value). Not less than at Walmart, the $69.99 price ticket is now the “common value,” not a reduction. Nonetheless, it’s a steal! Ditto for the Kensington SD2500T, which was $131 final 12 months however now $68.75 at Amazon.
The Targus USB-C Docking Station is the one exception to the Thunderbolt class, because it makes use of the DisplayLink protocol, which I’ve discovered exceedingly steady for workplace use however not for video games.
We’ve additionally reviewed fairly a couple of Thunderbolt docking stations in our checklist of the very best Thunderbolt docks. It’s by no means a foul concept to skim down that checklist and see if there’s a value that appeals to you.
Up to date at 10:39 AM PT on Nov. 28.
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FAQ
When is Black Friday?
Formally, this 12 months’s Black Friday takes place on Friday, Nov. 29, 2024. Cyber Monday is the next Monday, or Dec. 2, 2024.
When do early Black Friday offers on Thunderbolt docks start?
Early Black Friday gross sales have already begun at a number of retailers, although gross sales ought to ramp up as Black Friday nears. Retailers haven’t been shy about utilizing early gross sales to unload stock earlier than the Black Friday craziness begins.
Through the years, I’ve discovered that sure retailers merely outdo others in particular product classes. I routinely search websites like Newegg, B&H, Goal, and Walmart, however Amazon usually has the very best assortment of offers on docking stations of all stripes, together with Thunderbolt docks.
What do you have to pay for a Black Friday deal on a Thunderbolt dock?
Premium Thunderbolt docks often retail for about $220 to $270 or so, relying upon the options. I often hope for $200 or much less.
In 2024, you profit from one key development: Thunderbolt 3 and Thunderbolt 4 are roughly the identical when it comes to throughput and options, however retailers hate conserving previous {hardware} on the cabinets. It’s doubtless that you just’ll nonetheless see substantial gross sales on older Thunderbolt 3 {hardware}, with lesser reductions utilized to Thunderbolt 4 choices.
I’m already seeing proof of that. The Plugable TBT3-UDZ, which has been one in all my favourite Thunderbolt 3 docks for years, is being discontinued in favor of the TBT4-UDZ, the Thunderbolt 4 model. With Thunderbolt 3 {hardware} on its manner out — and similar to Thunderbolt 4 in what it could do — it is best to count on further reductions on older TB3 {hardware}. Thunderbolt 5 is simply barely starting to roll out. You gained’t see any offers there.
I’ve a USB-C port on my laptop computer. How do I do know what to make use of with it?
Seek the advice of your laptop computer’s guide. A Thunderbolt port might be labeled with a small lightning-bolt brand, however that icon can generally be used to sign that the port can be utilized for charging, too. If nothing else, a USB-C dongle/hub will all the time work with a USB-C port.
I nonetheless don’t perceive the distinction between USB-C and Thunderbolt. How does all of it work?
USB ports have been round for years. USB-C (the oval-shaped port) changed USB-A (the oblong port) as a result of USB-C was extra versatile, with increased speeds and a reversible port connector. USB-C ports may be rated for both 5Gbps or 10Gbps, identical to a standard USB-A port. However some USB-C ports connect with a Thunderbolt chip inside your laptop computer, and this permits the port to run at a better 40Gbps pace. Bodily, the connector appears precisely the identical. It’s simply what it could do this’s totally different.
Thunderbolt 5 is slowly getting into the market, however with just one or two docks and a tiny variety of laptops proper now. You gained’t see any gross sales on Thunderbolt 5 docks through the 2024 vacation season.
What’s the distinction between a USB-C hub and a Thunderbolt dock?
Velocity and options. A USB-C hub connects to a single 4K (or 1080p) show and gives a mixture of ports: USB-A, SD card slots, and so forth. You possibly can often plug your laptop computer’s USB-C energy cable (if it makes use of one) proper into it.
A Thunderbolt dock provides much more bandwidth for extra ports. There are two key variations: It has sufficient bandwidth to drive a pair of 4K shows, and plenty of docks include their very own energy provide that may cost your laptop computer in addition to your telephone. All that happens through the Thunderbolt cable that connects your laptop computer to the dock.
My laptop computer has USB 4, not Thunderbolt. Can I take advantage of a Thunderbolt dock?
Sure and no. Thunderbolt 3, Thunderbolt 4, and USB 4 all run at 40Gbps throughout the identical connector. USB 4 is an identical to Thunderbolt 4. But when your laptop computer runs USB 4, it gained’t “perceive” Thunderbolt 3 protocols. USB 4 laptops, that are nonetheless uncommon, have AMD Ryzen chips inside.
Is Thunderbolt 4 higher than Thunderbolt 3?
Bodily, they use the identical USB-C cable. Functionally, they’re nearly the identical, and run on the identical 40Gbps throughput. Thunderbolt 4 was launched nearly as a patch to Thunderbolt 3, guaranteeing that every little thing labored correctly. In case your laptop computer has Thunderbolt, it is best to have the ability to purchase both a Thunderbolt 3 or Thunderbolt 4 dock with none issues.
Since Thunderbolt 3 is being phased out, you’ll most likely discover extra reductions on the older Thunderbolt 3 {hardware}. (For all of the gory particulars, see my roundup of the finest Thunderbolt docks.)
I personal a desktop PC. Do I would like a Thunderbolt dock?
Probably. Traditionally, the again of a desktop has been chock-full of I/O ports, particularly DIY fashions that you just construct your self. Desktops often have additional room for inner SSDs, SD playing cards, and so forth. Nevertheless, in case your desktop lacks this stuff, and if it contains an exterior Thunderbolt port, you may all the time add these further parts externally through Thunderbolt.
A few of these docks have unhealthy critiques on buying websites. What provides?
Learn the person critiques carefully. Whereas Macs adopted Thunderbolt first, among the Apple M1 silicon couldn’t sustain with Intel Thunderbolt controllers utilized by Home windows PCs, and the Apple macOS expertise suffered consequently. If a Home windows person complains, listen; in any other case, you may dismiss them.
